Interview with Team Mélanie

The organizing committee wondered how Team Mélanie, winner of the 2007 edition of the 24h de Tremblant, had managed to pull off such an achievement: $160,319 raised by a team of nine teenagers. Find out how they did it through the interview with team captain Charles Gariepy-Théorêt.

How do you feel after raising more than $160,000 for kids in need?

It’s true that we’re proud, but mainly we’re happy to have helped the youngsters because that’s what’s emotionally moving about this experience. The team’s composed of nine young people between 16 and 18 years of age and we’re healthy. The kids that we did all this for aren’t so lucky. When we visited the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau we understood how much of a difference we could make and that every donation was important.

What was the reaction of people around you when they found out that you had raised all that money?

Everybody was happy for us, but mainly they were surprised to find out how much we had raised. People didn’t expect a team of young people like us to raise that much!

How do you raise so much money?

We got sponsored by a lot of businesses, but mainly we asked everybody we knew, every single person, to give. When nine people ask everybody to give and to talk about it, it generates some pretty impressive results.

Did you enjoy your experience?

The whole team just loved it; it was fun and it was a good experience. This was the second year that we did it.

What did you like best?

It was really the atmosphere, the people who encouraged us; it gave us courage. The feeling of camaraderie among the teams is motivating, too. We’re all there to raise as much money as possible. The shows were good, as well, and bring a bit of magic to the process. This year, Mother Nature was on our side as well, with the good weather and all the snow, but that’s beyond our control! It was just an extra

The fact of having been the team who raised the most money meant that you flew to the 24h de Villars in Switzerland. How was the trip?

The 24h de Villars was great. When we were there, there was a huge snowstorm raging on the mountain! It seems to me that the event attracts fewer spectators than Tremblant. There was no audience; it was the members of the teams who encouraged everybody and whom you heard. I felt that the teams were much more competitive than the ones at Tremblant, but it’s probably because there isn’t a “participation” category like there is here. The equivalent would be the “performance” category we have here.

Is the event a lot like the 24h de Tremblant?

The basic principle is certainly the same, but it’s different, as well. At night, there’s nobody encouraging the teams; there’s no pedestrian village like there is at Tremblant, and no shows; the overall atmosphere is different.

Would you do the 24h de Tremblant again?

Absolutely! We haven’t decided yet whether to join in again this year, but we’ll be discussing it soon.

What’s the best advice you could give a team who hoped to beat your fundraising record?

The key is asking everybody you know to give to the cause and to support the team. You can’t be afraid to ask, even people you don’t know. Children in need: that’s something that can touch everyone. You have to try to find as many ways as possible to be encouraged and supported because it’s a very noble cause.